Scientists predict a new economy "in favor of nature"
The locks introduced by European countries in March to stop the spread of COVID-19 had a tremendous impact on wildlife. Many species of plants, birds, and animals have partially recovered after decades of decline.
A vivid example of the fact that nature directly depends on people (or their absence) is peregrine falcons nesting in the ancient ruins of Korf Castle in the English county of Dorset, which was built by William the Conqueror in the 11th century.
Rare birds of prey have not been seen in the castle since the 1980s, but the couple returned only eight weeks after the castle was closed as part of a program to combat coronavirus in the United Kingdom.
“Amid all this uncertainty and chaos, it was gratifying to see nature colonize the landscape in our absence,” said David Brown, an environmentalist at the castle, to The Guardian.
There are plenty of similar examples. Within a few days after the introduction of a self-isolation regime in the UK, goats descended from their rock cliffs in North Wales to the desert Llandudno public gardens. English partridges settled in a recently abandoned car park in Cambridge. For the first time in 20 years, a cuckoo is heard in Osterley Park in West London.
Environmentalists also talk about the return of badgers, otters, ermines, weasels and hares to their former habitats. The National Fund has already stated that people will not be able to encroach on the newly restored flora and fauna when self-isolation and quarantine end.
“It seems that wildlife is enjoying a respite,” said Ben McCarthy, head of the conservation fund, in a press release. “With less movement and fewer people, we finally heard deafening birdsong.”
In mainland Europe, there is also expanse for our smaller brothers. Despite the partial cancellation of some measures, people are in no hurry to gather in huge groups on beaches and parks. Seals colonized the free coast, and birds nesting on the ground may not be afraid of masonry due to the of dogs.
The boom happened in the plant world. Near the roads there is a greater number of flowers, since local authorities have no time for harvesting grass and breaking up artificial flower beds, and this has benefited insects.
Scientists even used relative peace and silence during the period of self-isolation to create the first global public sound card for the spring dawn choir. They asked people to record birdsong and upload tracks to their website.
As a result, in May about 3,000 recordings of the morning birds singing were uploaded to the Dawn Chorus website. This allowed scientists to determine both the new habitats of some birds and to monitor the development of young birds.
“Suddenly, the natural world became more distinct,” said Professor Michael Gorman, director of the Biotopia Museum in Munich, to the Guardian. - This is the moment when we need to stop and listen.
Environmental scientists are confident that such demonstrative results should be the focus of economic recovery plans after the completion of the coronavirus pandemic. In an open letter published in the journal Science, experts insist: “The way we leave our homes will lead to a new global economy,” and people can “outweigh the balance” in favor of nature.
